The One Doctor

"Time's winged chariot marches on, especially for a Time Lord."

Writer: Gareth Roberts & Clayton Hickman

Format: Audio

Released: December 2001

Series: Main Range 27

Featuring: Sixth Doctor, Mel

Synopsis 

When the evil Skelloids launch an attack upon the seventeen worlds of the Generios system, its peace-loving inhabitants face total destruction. 

So it's lucky that the Doctor, that famous traveller in time and space, is in the area, and that he, along with his pretty young assistant, Sally-Anne, manages to defeat the deadly creatures and save the day. 

But now it looks as though the Doctor's luck has run out. 

Who is the mysterious, curly-haired stranger, intent on causing trouble? What role does the feisty redhead Melanie play in his scheme? And what have they to do with the sinister alien cylinder approaching Generios?

One thing is certain: for the Doctor and Sally-Anne, there's deadly danger ahead...

Verdict 

The One Doctor was a bit of a disappointment sadly. I don't like the idea of doing a humour, gaff-filled story for December's monthly release in the main range. It isn't better than your normal release and a better Christmas present would have been just a brilliant story! But instead what we got was silly and the worst audio in the main range so far. Prior to listening, I was really excited by this one due to the intriguing title and the fact that the pairing was a favourite of mine in the Sixth Doctor and Mel. But what I got was all a bit silly and to some extent stupid. The idea is actually superb with a different slant to what we saw in The Next Doctor. Here, two people were impersonating the now infamous Doctor and his companion. At the furthest reaches of time, when all was discovered and any pleasure could be afforded, the secrets of the Doctor was up and everybody knew everything about him. I didn't understand how they failed to recognise that Banto didn't look like any of the incarnations though. Sally-Anne was actually a great character and her taking to the Sixth Doctor, in a physical way, was a bit of a surprise I must say! There were a lot of things I disliked about this audio though, unfortunately. The impersonator's TARDIS being called a Stardis wasn't good nor funny and the fact that it was disguised as a portaloo was just ridiculous. I didn't find the explanation remotely funny at all. Now, you may be thinking that I'm just a stubborn person but that's not the case! I welcome humour in Doctor Who massively but a whole story shouldn't be based on it. Take The Romans for instant. It tells a wonderful story and the added humour just makes it a remarkable classic. And then you have funny companions like Leela and Donna, who would have been better suited to this story than Mel. The reference to The Invasion was cleverly thrown in though, I must admit I admired that. Mentos was a character I didn't really like and I failed to see the relevance of him just answering random questions for over 330 centuries! At least make things a tad believable and not completely crazy. The plot itself wasn't great and lacked foundation. The threat of the Cylinder just seemed more of a joke and you know that it's not a good enemy when an apology is given for the destruction of a planet! The 'bonus' scenes weren't exactly terrific and the Questioner just asking endless questions grew tiresome. Sally-Anne was probably the saving grace of the story though! I really liked her but was dumbfounded that she loved the Doctor! And I was disgusted that the sixth incarnation passionately kissed her! Even if it was to gain an advantage. That's just not what the Sixth Doctor is about at all. Overall, a good idea but poorly presented in a gag format with clearly the wrong TARDIS pairing. 

Rating: 6/10